MIAA girls volleyball: Top seed PVCA knocks out Franklin Tech in Div. 5 Round of 8

SPRINGFIELD — After playing Pioneer Valley Christian Academy earlier in the season, the Franklin Tech girls volleyball team had some intelligence on its undefeated opponent heading into the MIAA Division 5 state tournament Round of 8 matchup on Thursday night.

Knowledge of top-seeded PVCA (24-0) led to a more competitive match, but the eighth-seeded Eagles ultimately lost, 3-1. PVCA advanced to its second straight Final Four. The last time PVCA lost a set was October 8 against Holyoke.

Emma Petersen had eight kills, 10 digs and six blocks in a well-rounded effort for Franklin Tech. Set scores were 25-9, 25-21, 23-25 and 25-16.

“We worked like a team tonight and put our all into it,” Petersen said. “We really wanted it. They are a really good team, well-trained. Their girls are really tall. They are very dedicated and very good. They work hard.”

Petersen, Taylor Underwood and Janiylah Wan all played their final match for Franklin Tech. The Eagles finished their season 17-6 with a Western league championship. The sport meant a lot to Petersen, beyond just the game itself.

“I get that it’s only high school volleyball but it has changed my life,” Petersen said. “It’s changed me as a person. It’s made me stronger and gave me something to be a part of, a new family. A new group of girls to do this with. It changed me for the better.”

The Eagles played without outside hitter Madison Pettengill, who missed the match with a host of knee injuries including a torn ACL and meniscus. Her presence certainly would have helped Franklin Tech, who could not overcome two sets that weren’t all that competitive. The Eagles just missed a win in the second set.

“Confidence and moving our feet,” Franklin Tech coach Jade Cuevas said. “The biggest issue we’ve had all season is serve receive. Adjusting to these good servers. If we did that a lot more, we could have competed a little better. Especially in the first and fourth sets where we let down a bit.”

The versatile Sarah Beckwith played well at the net and on defense for the Eagles. The junior finished with seven kills and 18 digs. There are five players on the roster who will go into next season with solid state tournament experience. Franklin Tech had some belief heading into their match against PVCA.

The first match against PVCA was not as competitive on October 29, when Franklin Tech lost, 3-0.

“We had more confidence going into it,” Beckwith said. “Knowing a little bit more about how they played…we wanted it more this time knowing it could be the end. We just wanted to put 110 percent effort into it.”

Underwood had eight digs to help the defense, while Wan contributed 14 digs. Wan made many trips to the hardwood to save points for the Eagles. Laura Fuess had six kills and five blocks for Franklin Tech.

In the third set, two Beckwith kills gave Franklin Tech a 16-14 lead. Lily Baldwin went to the net late in the set for two kills that put Franklin Tech ahead, 24-23. Petersen’s kill closed out the set for the Eagles.

In the second set, Franklin Tech had an 8-4 lead, but PVCA battled its way back for a victory. A kill by Fuess briefly gave Franklin Tech a 15-14 lead later in the set.

PVCA jumped out to an 8-1 lead in the first set and put it away quickly. Franklin Tech put up more of a fight in the decisive set, but PVCA put it away to advance.

Football

Non-tournament

Mahar 22, Quabbin 15 — The Senators defeated the Panthers at the Woodward Complex. The Senators (5-5) moved to .500 on the season with their second straight victory.

Athol 36, Chicopee 20 — The Bears won their second straight with a win over the Pacers at O’Brien Field. Athol moves to 2-8 on the season.

Frontier 30, Chicopee Comp 28 — The Redhawks edged the Colts in South Deerfield. Frontier stands with a 7-3 record on the season.